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PRISTINA – Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci says his meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic later this month could be "a new chapter" in the process of normalizing Kosovar-Serbian relations.

Talking to RFE/RL in Pristina on February 13, Thaci said that the process would be more effective if the issue of the removal of Serbian security structures from Kosovo's ethnic-Serb-populated north was resolved.

"We definitely expect the beginning of a normalization of the situation in the north of Mitrovica, the dissolution and removal of Serbian security structures from that part, and this is the direct responsibility of Serbian Prime Minister Dacic," Thaci said.

"At the same time, from our side, we will present an affirmative offer for our Serbian citizens in the north so that they can integrate into the new Kosovar life, into the future parliament of Kosovo and into the central and local institutions."

Last week in Brussels, the presidents of Serbia and Kosovo pledged to mend their strained relations after holding the highest-level meeting since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

Serbia refuses to recognize Kosovo's sovereignty, which is backed by over 90 countries.